The intentionally austere Porsche 356 Speedster revolutionized the world of low-cost, high-reward sports cars, previously dominated by British roadsters. In effect a stripped-down 356 Cabriolet with a chopped windshield, it eschewed almost every amenity—even a heater was optional. A pair of removable side curtains and a rudimentary folding fabric top kept the weather at bay. Arriving in 1954 with a starting price under $3,000, the 356 Speedster was an instant success—stylish, nimble, and reliable enough to enjoy every day, including on racing circuits, where it quickly became the car to beat in under-2.0-liter competition.

Porsche updated the 356 in late 1955 and designated it the 356 A, adding a curved windshield and dashboard, among other minor tweaks, along with notable mechanical upgrades that improved driving dynamics. Two new air-cooled flat-four engines with increased displacement and higher compression ratios produced more power. Suspension revisions took advantage of the latest advances in tire technology.

In 1957, Porsche made minor changes to the 356 A, with the original batch of cars now referred to as “T1” models and those with the mid-cycle updates called “T2.” Different lighting elements and exhaust pipes that exit through the rear bumper overriders set T2 models apart, but the most significant changes were once again mechanical: swapping Solex for Zenith carburetors and replacing roller-bearing crankshafts used in some variants with standard-bearing units.

This beautifully restored T2 Speedster completed production on 3 October 1957, according to a copy of its original Kardex. Little is known of its early history, other than it was dispatched to influential New York-based importer Max Hoffman, who was the sole US-distributor of Porsches at the time and credited with conceiving of the Speedster and championing its development.

European Collectibles of Costa Mesa, California, acquired the Speedster in 2014 and undertook a nut-and-bolt restoration from 2016 to 2018, completely rejuvenating the car cosmetically and mechanically. An accompanying book documenting the painstaking work includes photos that show the Speedster had been finished in black with a black interior prior to the restoration; the car’s factory color scheme is not recorded on the original Kardex. The body was fully stripped to bare metal and found to be remarkably intact before being painstakingly primed, sanded, and repainted. European Collectibles chose period-correct Aquamarine Blue (5707) for the exterior and Red for the interior. Photos in the restoration book show the numbers-matching 1.6-liter engine, four-speed gearbox, and suspension, fully disassembled, inventoried, and refurbished to factory standards using OEM parts. With the 20-month restoration complete, the car was sold to the current collection in April 2018, where it has remained on display and sparingly driven.

Having been restored to such a high standard and conscientiously preserved within the consignor’s collection, this superb Speedster is an ideal choice for showing and touring at any number of prestigious historic events.